The Monday Round-Up: Pros Punch Their Kona Tickets

The 31 pros that have already earned their spot on the 2019 Kona start line; IRONMAN's expanded partnership with PLAYTRI; and the buzz around the world of endurance.

Ticket, punched: The pros who've already validated for Kona 2019.

Beginning September 2018, professional athletes began competing for allocated slots in the all new system of determining who qualifies for and validates their spot for the 2019 IRONMAN World Championship.

Playtri Named Official Triathlon Store of IRONMAN

IRONMAN announced a multi-year partnership that expands the relationship with endurance sport retailer, PLAYTRI, as the Official Triathlon Store for the IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 U.S. Series. PLAYTRI will offer full bicycle service at the IRONMAN Village as well as bicycle tech support on course during race day.

PLAYTRI has 18 years of triathlon knowledge and experience cultivating the best equipment, and support for athletes of all abilities to excel in their multisport goals. PLAYTRI owns and operates one of the largest chains of triathlon-focused retail locations and online store in the nation, with the goal to expanding their retail footprint to all 50 states through franchising.

PLAYTRI will be on-site at many of the 2019 IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 U.S. Series races positioned in IRONMAN Village with a large assortment of last-minute items available for sale in addition to offering full bicycle service for athletes competing, including on course race day tech support.

The Buzz

See you in London

There are now 11 new ways to qualify for the Abbott WMM Wanda Marathon Age-Group World Championships at the iconic 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon. Our two picks for the most fun (and picturesque): Ociane Groupe Matmut Marathon de Bordeaux Métropole, a twilight tour of Bordeaux through throngs of passionate spectators, and EDP Rock ‘n’ Roll Madrid Marathon, combining great music, historic Madrid, and the Madrileños (fervent Spanish fans).

#LifeGoals

The United Nations has just released “Sport for Climate Action Initiative,” a systematic plan for athletes and teams to reduce their carbon emissions. Watch an Olympic-star studded pump video, and then sign up your club. Not a bunch of carbon-neutral tree huggers? Don’t worry -- organizations at all levels are welcome. The UN Climate Change committee is here to help you systematically promote environmental responsibility, reduce climate impact, educate others, plan for sustainable consumption, and advocate for climate action. Read more about these five principles in the UN action plan and then sign the letter on the final page and make your commitment.

All the feels

We love end-of-year lists, and our favorite so far is USA Triathlon’s countdown of “Top Member Submitted Moments of 2018.” Two examples: age-group triathlete Rachel Brenke shares “I knew my kids would be in the finish corral in Kona, but I had no idea what it would feel like. I didn't expect to be overcome and blinded by joy,” and Jeff Caplan writes “seeing the Pease Brothers cross the finish line in Kona was really a metaphor for all the great things about the sport.” We couldn’t agree more. Pour a glass of wine and read on for all the feels.

Apple docs

An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but Apple has quietly hired dozens of consulting medical doctors in order to integrate health technologies into the Apple Watch, iPad and iPhone. The new applications focus on managing disease, not just health and fitness. Of particular interest to aging endurance athletes: Apple’s electrocardiogram sensor to track heart rhythm irregularities.